Patrick clifford



P. CLIFFQRD;

Levei and Plumb.

a inf 9i we Patented June 11. 1867.

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PATRICK. CLIFFORD, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUEETTS.

' Letters Patent No. 65,?26, dctcl June 11, 186i.

IMPROVEMENT IN COMBINED LEVEL AND PLUMB.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, PATBIOK.GLIFFORIJ, of Holyoke, inthe county of Hampden, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful improvement in the application of spirit-levels, which improvement I denominate a Level, Plumb, and Inclinometer couibined; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification; and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which- H Figure 1 is a perspective view, (the cover of the instrument being rcpresented as partially broken away, to show the interior,) and I I 4 Figure 2 is a horizontal longitudinal section of the level-case or holder, and the spindle attached to it.

Similai' letters refer to like parts in all the drawings.

The nature of my invention consists in attaching a spirit-level, mounted in a small case, to a stock of metal or wood, in such manner that the said stock, having the level so attached, may be used as a level, or a plumb,

or for ascertaining the angles formed by the lines of any surface with the horizon.

The construction ofmy invention is as follows: L represents the tube of a common spirit-level, enclosed in the rectangular case or holder A. The brass lid secures the tube in its bed, and the longitudinal slot in said lid allows an inspection of the tube. The level-case A-has a round projection, G, on the side of it, which enters an aperture in the side of the, stock, and upon which the level-case or holder turns. This projection also receives thespindle D, which is firmly inserted in it. A part of the length of the spindle D is of a slightly conical i'orm, as seen at b, fig. 2. The aperture in the head of the index I is also made slightly flaring, so as to fit closely the conical portion of the spindle, and to remain firmly attached to the spindle, and turn with it when forced down upon it by turning the nut S. An opening to' receive the projection C is made in one side of the stock, and a smaller opening in the opposite side to receive the spindle D. The stock M, as shown in the accompanying drawings, is constructed of iron, but may be constructed of either metal or wood. It is hollow, strengthened by cross-pieces, and has a cover, N, attached by screws. This cover extends over the entire length of M, but is shown in the drawings as broken oii' for a portion of its length. The side of M is made of greater thickness at O, to afl'ord a sufiicient bearing for the projection C. The stock M may also be constructedwith a central web and top and bottom flanges, if made of metal. A quadrated semicircle, E G, is made upon the side of the stock, which is traversed by the index I. This semicircle is divided into degrees, but may he graduated in any divisions that the nature of the work upon which it is used requires.

The operation of my invention is as follows: When the projection C and spindle D are placedin their respective hearings in the sides of the stock M, the index I is placed upon the spindle, and is set at 0, when the -stock, with the level-case, is found to be in a-lovel position. The index is then forced upon the spindle, by turning the nut S, and being now fast on the spindle, will turn withit and with every movement of the levelholder. When the index thus set upon the adjusted instrument is placed at 0 the instrument canfbe used for all the purposes to which a common spirit-level can be applied. When the index is placed at 90, the instrument can be used as a plumb.

It will be readily seen that my improvement, aflords a ready means of ascertaining the angle of inclination in many cases. 4 In the erection of many structures a certain inclination is required to be given to surfaces,

as inthe batter of Walls, where an inclination of a certain number of inches to the foot vertical is required,

A scale constructed to give such inclinations may be added to this instrument, or it may be used for that purpose by first ascertaining, by trial, the exact point in degrees at which the index stands, when the stock is at the required inclination,

I do not, therefore, confine myself tothe simple graduation of the semicircle in degrees, as the divisions of the scale may be made to suit the requirements of the workin hand.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is--= The spindle D, passing through the stock M, having secured to it at. one end the case A, its other end bearing the index I on its conical part, and tiglncningmut S, all constructed and arranged substantially as hereindescribed and set forth;

PATRICK CLIFFORD. Witnesses:

W. B. C. Pmnsons, J. P. Buexmsm 

